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Fortunes of War
R150191961. DESTINS DE GUERRE. 1999. In-8. Broch. Bon tat, Couv. convenable, Dos satisfaisant, Intrieur frais. 440 pages. . . . Classification Dewey : 810-Littrature amricaine
Paperback
First published April 15, 1998
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1231 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Coonts
180 books755 followersStephen Coonts (born July 19, 1946) is an American thriller and suspense novelist.
Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968. He entered the Navy the following year and flew an A-6 Intruder medium attack plane during the Vietnam War, where he served on two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He accumulated 1600 hours in the A-6 Intruder and earned a number of Navy commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he served as a flight instructor on A-6 aircraft for two years, then did a tour as an assistant catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). His navigator-bombardier was LTjg Stanley W. Bryant who later became a Rear Admiral and deputy commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in Europe.
After being honorably discharged from duty as a lieutenant in 1977, Coonts pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1979. He then worked as an oil and gas lawyer for several companies, entertaining his writing interests in his free time.
He published short stories in a number of publications before writing Flight of the Intruder in 1986 (made into a movie in 1991). Intruder, based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot, spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in hardcover and launched his career as a novelist. From there he continued writing adventure-mysteries using the character from his first book, Jake Grafton. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels since then, but is most notable for the Grafton books.
Today Coonts continues to write, having had seventeen New York Times bestsellers (out of 20 books), and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife and son.
Taken from Wikipedia
Learn more about Stephen Coonts on the Macmillan website.
Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968. He entered the Navy the following year and flew an A-6 Intruder medium attack plane during the Vietnam War, where he served on two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He accumulated 1600 hours in the A-6 Intruder and earned a number of Navy commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he served as a flight instructor on A-6 aircraft for two years, then did a tour as an assistant catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). His navigator-bombardier was LTjg Stanley W. Bryant who later became a Rear Admiral and deputy commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in Europe.
After being honorably discharged from duty as a lieutenant in 1977, Coonts pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1979. He then worked as an oil and gas lawyer for several companies, entertaining his writing interests in his free time.
He published short stories in a number of publications before writing Flight of the Intruder in 1986 (made into a movie in 1991). Intruder, based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot, spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in hardcover and launched his career as a novelist. From there he continued writing adventure-mysteries using the character from his first book, Jake Grafton. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels since then, but is most notable for the Grafton books.
Today Coonts continues to write, having had seventeen New York Times bestsellers (out of 20 books), and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife and son.
Taken from Wikipedia
Learn more about Stephen Coonts on the Macmillan website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
June 18, 2015
The fact that I have liked some of Coonts stories is the only reason I can foresee this being on my "to read" shelf. Now it can go to the "to trash" shelf. Too long, too boring, too warring. 0 of 10 stars
May 27, 2015
Not quite the page-turner I expected it to be given the premise. That it is somewhat dated now (written 1998, set in its near future I think) is not the issue. Rather, the 'action' is quite slow to develop and never really grabbed me in the way some of my favourite action/thriller authors do. Yes, I was engaged enough to finish the book and see what happened to end the Japanese-Russian war, especially when it threatened to go nuclear. Yes, I wanted to see who would survive and how BUT it was something of a slog to get myself to the end, especially when some other, long-waited for books are sitting calling me to read them.
March 24, 2017
Overall, I liked the book. I thought some of the situations were unlikely, but not too far from the realm of possibility. The technology seemed plausible. I thought the idea that the USA would fail to develop advanced technology because of uninformed budget cuts was highly likely. The thought that some other nation would, in turn, take our technology that we developed and then use it against us--well, that seemed alarmingly possible. The characters were not developed in any depth, but were adequately done for this genre. A page-turner fit for a TDY trip.
May 31, 2017
The action was awesome, aviation lingo made me feel like I was flying in the cockpit with Bob Cassidy, Jiro Kimura and all the other pilots and I felt like I was living in the submarine with the Russian crew. This is my second book by this author. I have a few more on my bookshelf that was in a box of books donated to me in 2014
May 10, 2010
Just could not get in to it at all. Gave up after 120 pages.
November 23, 2018
This book is very beautiful and amazing.
November 5, 2023
In my on-going quest to re-read the books in my bookshelf, I revisited this Stephen Coonts story. It's a little surreal reading a story from 25 years ago where the military protagonist is Japan. Nonetheless, the depictions of war and its casual horror are on point.
The story is also reminiscent of activities in our own country where people of a certain point of view conspire together (consciously and by loose alignment of goals) to take over a government to pursue their particular agenda. Hopefully, some portion of the population will continue to read history and learn from humanity's failures of the past. Let's work hard to avoid a nuclear war, shall we?
If you're looking for an action packed book, with meticulous attention to military and combat details, this is a great story. The political story lines are plausible and while this particular thread did not work out (thankfully) in history, the themes of the story are still all too relevant.
It's a good book and an enjoyable read. Have fun!
The story is also reminiscent of activities in our own country where people of a certain point of view conspire together (consciously and by loose alignment of goals) to take over a government to pursue their particular agenda. Hopefully, some portion of the population will continue to read history and learn from humanity's failures of the past. Let's work hard to avoid a nuclear war, shall we?
If you're looking for an action packed book, with meticulous attention to military and combat details, this is a great story. The political story lines are plausible and while this particular thread did not work out (thankfully) in history, the themes of the story are still all too relevant.
It's a good book and an enjoyable read. Have fun!
February 5, 2023
Counts delivers riveting details of both the air dog fights, and the sea battles led by a Russian sub. The air wars involve technically advanced planes from both the US and from Japan. The submarine is the opposite, as it is an outdated diesel electric version, but it is led by a crafty captain. But the lead plot is a war started by Japan as it invades Siberia, and the escalation to nuclear levels by the leaders from both countries. These leaders, Kalugin and Abe, have assumed delusional dictator behavior, with a loss sense of reality, and thus are off the rails. It takes good men in both governments and in key military roles to prevent the nukes from going off. This is all fiction, but with it the sense that it could be real given the irrational behavior we see in modern times of just a few world leaders.
September 25, 2019
Absolutely miserable book. Paranoid and jingoistic fantasy about stereotypical Japanese nationalists starting a war which threatens to engulf the US and the world. Unbelievable plot, cardboard cutout characters. Run, don't walk away from this one. I haven't read anything by Coonts since this was written, two decades ago. I wonder if he's switched his Asian enemy from Japan to China, yet.
UPDATE: The answer to the question is: Yes!
See ( but don't read) 'The Art of War'.
UPDATE: The answer to the question is: Yes!
See ( but don't read) 'The Art of War'.
October 19, 2024
Summary
It follows a conflict between Japan, Russia, and the USA. After the emperor is assassinated, Japan intends to invade Siberia to gain its oil, as Japan is financially crumbling. The story switches points of view frequently, but our main perspectives are that of Bob Cassidy and Jiro Kimura. Bob and Jiro are Air Force pilots who became friends at US Air Force Academy. Jiro left after graduating to serve in Japan. Japan has new weaponry and due to their past relationship, Jiro becomes Bob and the US’s informant on Japan’s military actions. After Japan’s attacks on Siberia, however, they are pitted against each other in the skies, with the potential to shoot down a lifelong friend in a fiery blaze.
Characters
The main protagonist of this story is Bob Cassidy. He is a retired Air Force colonel forced to come out of retirement to fight in a squadron of F-22 Raptors against Japan’s new “Zeroes.” Jiro Kimura is a Japanese fighter pilot trained in the American Air Force Academy alongside Bob Cassidy. He was Cassidy and America’s informant on military operations. Their forced conflict pushes the book's anti-war theme.
Themes and Messages
The overarching theme of this book is political power and greed, and how it affects people everywhere when decisions are made for personal gain. Another idea to tie into it is an anti-war theme, as they show two lifelong friends being ordered to kill each other on sight. These themes get pretty strong whenever the Japanese government try to justify their greed in the name of “honor.”
Personal Reflection
I really enjoyed this book. I am very interested in the action and political discourse, but my favorite is seeing the war from inside the soldier’s mind, and then his enemy’s. This is why I really enjoyed the first conflict between Bob and Jiro, as both knew their friend was in an enemy plane, but they don’t know which. Any confirmed kill could be their metaphorical brother.
Recommendation
This book is very realistic and the near-future aspect slightly dies off with the years after release, but I would recommend this to any science fiction or action fan. The writing is very similar to something like “Hunger Games” or “Maze Runner,” especially the political aspects tying into the conflicts. If you dislike anything to do with politics, this may not be for you.
Real-World Connection
It may be low-hanging fruit to pick, but this book is so obviously similar to current foreign conflicts. America joining a conflict between Russia and another country sounds familiar, but this time Russia is an ally. Also familiar, Japan ambushes the United States as if referencing Pearl Harbor. The author has obviously taken many conflicts as source material and has an amazing job using their influence.
It follows a conflict between Japan, Russia, and the USA. After the emperor is assassinated, Japan intends to invade Siberia to gain its oil, as Japan is financially crumbling. The story switches points of view frequently, but our main perspectives are that of Bob Cassidy and Jiro Kimura. Bob and Jiro are Air Force pilots who became friends at US Air Force Academy. Jiro left after graduating to serve in Japan. Japan has new weaponry and due to their past relationship, Jiro becomes Bob and the US’s informant on Japan’s military actions. After Japan’s attacks on Siberia, however, they are pitted against each other in the skies, with the potential to shoot down a lifelong friend in a fiery blaze.
Characters
The main protagonist of this story is Bob Cassidy. He is a retired Air Force colonel forced to come out of retirement to fight in a squadron of F-22 Raptors against Japan’s new “Zeroes.” Jiro Kimura is a Japanese fighter pilot trained in the American Air Force Academy alongside Bob Cassidy. He was Cassidy and America’s informant on military operations. Their forced conflict pushes the book's anti-war theme.
Themes and Messages
The overarching theme of this book is political power and greed, and how it affects people everywhere when decisions are made for personal gain. Another idea to tie into it is an anti-war theme, as they show two lifelong friends being ordered to kill each other on sight. These themes get pretty strong whenever the Japanese government try to justify their greed in the name of “honor.”
Personal Reflection
I really enjoyed this book. I am very interested in the action and political discourse, but my favorite is seeing the war from inside the soldier’s mind, and then his enemy’s. This is why I really enjoyed the first conflict between Bob and Jiro, as both knew their friend was in an enemy plane, but they don’t know which. Any confirmed kill could be their metaphorical brother.
Recommendation
This book is very realistic and the near-future aspect slightly dies off with the years after release, but I would recommend this to any science fiction or action fan. The writing is very similar to something like “Hunger Games” or “Maze Runner,” especially the political aspects tying into the conflicts. If you dislike anything to do with politics, this may not be for you.
Real-World Connection
It may be low-hanging fruit to pick, but this book is so obviously similar to current foreign conflicts. America joining a conflict between Russia and another country sounds familiar, but this time Russia is an ally. Also familiar, Japan ambushes the United States as if referencing Pearl Harbor. The author has obviously taken many conflicts as source material and has an amazing job using their influence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
Not my usual type of book to read, but it was a good story.
A Japanese/Russian war? This book was published in 1998, 24 years ago….so it seemed weird contemplating Japan & Russia going to war. Yet, as I read this book, Russia and Ukraine are posturing, mustering troops on the border, so who knows how that will go? So is it really inconceivable Russia and Japan could actually go to war?! Maybe not.
If you like spy/intrigue/war stories you would likely enjoy this. Cassidy, Jiro and Saratov are the heroes of this tale. When Saratov sneaks his old out if date submarine right into Tokyo harbour…..a daring act, best part of the book!
A Japanese/Russian war? This book was published in 1998, 24 years ago….so it seemed weird contemplating Japan & Russia going to war. Yet, as I read this book, Russia and Ukraine are posturing, mustering troops on the border, so who knows how that will go? So is it really inconceivable Russia and Japan could actually go to war?! Maybe not.
If you like spy/intrigue/war stories you would likely enjoy this. Cassidy, Jiro and Saratov are the heroes of this tale. When Saratov sneaks his old out if date submarine right into Tokyo harbour…..a daring act, best part of the book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
The quote on this paperback edition states “crammed with action [and] suspense.” At first blush this quote seems to be a truncated backhanded compliment, but story moves briskly.
The megalomaniacal leaders of Russia and Japan fight over Siberia. The Japanese want Siberia to get the oil, Russia wants to keep Siberia in Russia. Along the way the U.S. government secretly sends a squadron of F-22 fighter jets to aid the Russians. Chaos ensues! Two friends must fight to the death! Possible nuclear war!!
The story rotates among six different characters but progresses linearly. The story, which has a copyright of 1998 also seems to be oblivious to drone technology.
The megalomaniacal leaders of Russia and Japan fight over Siberia. The Japanese want Siberia to get the oil, Russia wants to keep Siberia in Russia. Along the way the U.S. government secretly sends a squadron of F-22 fighter jets to aid the Russians. Chaos ensues! Two friends must fight to the death! Possible nuclear war!!
The story rotates among six different characters but progresses linearly. The story, which has a copyright of 1998 also seems to be oblivious to drone technology.
January 8, 2024
Bit of head hopping in this book makes it a little jarring, but overall the story is both thrilling and engaging. Hard to imagine the US and Russia on the same side in any war, but this story gives a good effort in doing so. My favorite messaging in this book wasn’t in the fact it was whoever amassed the better equipment would win, everyone played to their strengths and I found myself rooting for the Russian Sub Commander, despite his personality defects. Easy recommendation for folks who need fast paced story telling.
April 15, 2020
Well, I guess there must be an audience out there somewhere that like war books like this, but it sure was not my cup of tea. Japan invading Siberia and Russia and Japan almost nuking each other with nukes that no one thought either country still had? AND THE USA HELPING BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!! I won't spoil the cataclysmic ending but I will never read another book like this.
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August 2, 2025DNF - It's always hit or miss for me with Stephen Coonts novels. This one is a miss for me. Though the premise is interesting, there are just too many unnecessary details, acronyms, and military jargon that loses the storyline. I really struggled to read the first 100 pages, and finally gave up. Too many other good books on my bookshelf waiting to be read. This is a DNF so I do not rate it.
February 4, 2019
Though well written with some engaging characters, this book was far from Coonts' best. He killed off everybody but the main characters, which was unlikely. It was a little too obvious who agent Ju was--that was an easy guess early on.
January 10, 2023
Tense from beginning to end. Greed, politicians, corruption & no moral character was the base of this story, and how a few good people on each side of the conflict affect the outcome. Who will live, who will die, and how many? All answers you must read to find out.
January 2, 2024
Hard book to read. If you understand flying, maybe you will enjoy more than me. I found the flying sequences boring and drawn out. The personal relationships were good but not devoted to enough. I even scanned last few pages just to be done with this book.
October 23, 2024
A fast moving book that is fun to read especially if you have interest in aviation. The scenario is creative with Japan trying to take Siberia from Russia and the US helping counter Japan - very far from reality these days but interesting!
February 28, 2025
Coonts can write
And concoct a good tale. Reading these in a haphazard fashion introduces me to characters seen later in the timeline but really doesn't matter much as each book stands alone.
And concoct a good tale. Reading these in a haphazard fashion introduces me to characters seen later in the timeline but really doesn't matter much as each book stands alone.
August 7, 2017
The last of the book was a 4 while the rest was a 1 or 2. The build up to the finale was too drawn out for me. I almost quit it half the way through.
November 20, 2017
Confession - I did not read all of this book. It's very well written, but I'm just not into a war story right now. I like his writing so will try another of his books.
March 12, 2018
Slow to start, some enjoyable moments.
August 19, 2018
I was surprised that Jake Grafton didn't have to save the day... Good surprise, actually. The number and diversity of characters reminded me of Tom Clancy's work. Good story.
September 1, 2018
A really good book. The underwater scenes were spell binding. A surprise find.
January 15, 2019
I have read it before and for that reason I have put it as read
February 28, 2019
Four and a half stars. I like this book. It was short, fast paced and exciting. It is a war story at its best
September 23, 2019
One of his better ones. Four nukes threaten the USA and Jake Grafton's team must find and disarm them. Still long for better character development though.
May 5, 2020
494 pages
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews